Play 2 Learn Day Nursery

Inspection of Play 2 Learn Day Nursery 78 Clapham Road, Bedford, Bedfordshire MK41 7PN

p.1

Overall effectiveness Good

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Good Leadership and management Good Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Good

p.1

The provision is good

Children settle quickly into the nursery. Staff obtain essential information from parents to get to know children very well. Staff use this knowledge to help children feel secure and engage in play. For example, as babies like waving their arms and tapping tables, staff offer musical instruments for them to shake and tap. This helps them learn about what their bodies can do. Staff set up the environment to create a sense of belonging for the children. Children's pictures and photos of their experiences welcome them into the nursery.

p.2

The provision is good

Staff offer positive reinforcement, which helps children to behave well. Children are kind to their friends and use their manners. Older children take pride in being the lunchtime helper as they give the plates of food to the other children. The others respond respectfully with a polite 'thank you'. Babies are confident and curious. They wait with delight as staff encourage them to choose a toy from a bag during a game. They explore the resources to develop all their senses. They squidge play foam in their hands and watch the diggers move about in the garden. Staff encourage children to develop a love of reading. Older children listen to staff read stories with expression. Babies snuggle up to their key person and point to pictures.

p.2

need to do better?

n The ambitious management team is developing the newly established staff team. They have high standards about how they expect staff to interact and care for children. Any concerns or incidents are handled swiftly. Managers complete all required documentation and follow all necessary processes to help ensure children receive good care and education. n The newly established staff team welcome feedback about their work. Staff have a clear understanding of what they need to do to develop their interactions with children. Managers meet with them regularly. As a result, staff say they feel supported in their professional and personal lives. n Staff know children well and complete regular observations and assessments to help them progress in their learning and be ready for school. The manager is an excellent role model when working in the rooms with staff and children. Staff play with children and are genuinely interested in what the children say and do.

p.2

need to do better?

However, not all staff are highly skilled at including quieter children in play and extending their learning. n The provision for toddlers is still being developed. At times, children in this room are not as engaged in learning with adults. The staff know children well and understand what they need to learn. However, they do not always implement the learning intentions of activities effectively. As a result, toddlers sometimes wander about less engaged in learning.

p.2

need to do better?

15 September 2023 n Staff help children to develop their communication and language skills effectively. They sing songs and talk as children play across the nursery. Babies babble and use gestures to communicate their needs, which staff respond to warmly. Staff ask older children questions to help them use their thinking skills, listening to their answers. For example, when pretending to make cakes with play dough, staff ask children what is next in the cooking process. Children listen to the question and answer how they will bake it and for how long. n Children experience the world around them when they go on outings in the local area. Staff give meaning to real-world experiences. They talk about what the different colour traffic lights mean while playing a 'stop' and 'go' game to correspond with the red and green lights. Staff provide children with binoculars to see further away and talk about the natural items children spot.

p.2

need to do better?

n Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are making good progress in their learning from their starting points. Staff work closely with parents to provide continuity of care. Furthermore, they liaise with professionals to implement guidance that helps the children's learning and development. n Children have good opportunities to develop their physical skills. Older children build strength and core control as they pull themselves up on the climbing wall. Staff support them to move their whole bodies. Toddlers poke and squish play dough to help their small-muscle development before learning to write. Babies crawl over a range of obstacles towards staff, who encourage them to continue. n Parents are happy with the care and education provided at the nursery. There is a good amount of two-way information sharing. They like the online learning journal for daily updates about their child. Parents also comment that they value

p.3

need to do better?

the face-to-face communication on arrival and collection. It is detailed and very reassuring as they exchange knowledge about their children.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

Staff and the designated safeguarding officers understand their responsibility to safeguard children. Staff know the signs and symptoms a child may be at risk of abuse or neglect. Designated officers understand their responsibility to liaise with other agencies, such as when an allegation is made against a member of staff. There are strong recruitment procedures in place to ensure suitable staff work with children. Managers monitor practice and address any concerns to ensure staff meet their internal quality standards.

p.3

should:

n help staff develop teaching skills in the toddler room, so that intended learning for children is implemented more effectively

p.3

should:

15 September 2023 n strengthen teaching to be more reactive to children's various learning dispositions, so that all children have equally high-quality opportunities to learn.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 219187 Local authority Bedford Inspection number 10310481 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.5

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Full day care

p.5

inspection

Total number of places 75 Number of children on roll 69 Name of registered person Play 2 Learn Bedford Ltd

p.5

reference number

Telephone number 01234 353566 Date of previous inspection 7 November 2018

p.5

Information about this early years setting

Play 2 Learn Day Nursery registered in 2000. The nursery employs 14 members of staff, 12 of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 and above. The nursery opens all year round from Monday to Friday, 7.30am until 6.30pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

p.5

Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the provider received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the manager and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want the children to learn, including a meeting with the manager and early years manager. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The manager and the inspector carried out a joint observation of a spontaneous activity. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the

p.6

Inspection activities

suitability of staff working in the nursery. n Children talked and played with the inspector during the inspection.

p.6

Inspection activities

We carried out this inspection under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of provision that is registered on the Early Years Register. The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children's learning, development and care, known as the early years foundation stage.

p.6

Inspection activities

15 September 2023 regulates and inspects to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children's services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

p.6

Inspection activities

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.7

Inspection activities

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk

p.7

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.7

Inspection activities

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.7